Allergy Free Canine Allergies
Allergy-Free Canine Care, Is There Such A Thing?
When you stop to think about it, a reaction to something is probably the only way a creature can truly have allergy symptoms. No other species on the planet has allergies, so how is it possible that dogs can have allergies as well?
Dogs commonly get allergies, like humans, due to things they inhale, like pollen from trees or grass, or things they eat like mold or wrappers. Since dogs live longer than humans, if there is an early cause of the allergy, it is possible they are first introducing it to something they’ve been exposed to and itching the gut for a few days as a result.
Just like with humans, dogs with allergies may have side effects, like sneezing, itchy eyes, constipation, and diarrhea. These can be so aggravating that your dog will want to avoid you at all costs. Your dog may exhibit less excitability or even a change in temperament.
If you think your dog may have allergies, you should have your veterinarian do a blood check to make sure your dog has no allergies. Your veterinarian may even be able to determine the cause, as he/she will be looking for a rash, sores, licking of front paws, etc. Knowing the cause of the allergy is a big step in treating it.
Canine allergies may also be the result of seasonal allergies, or your dog may have allergies specifically. Dogs that have seasonal allergies will usually be affected by pollen, grasses, and such. Your dog will be itching, biting, and scratching a lot, so watch for how he/she reacts when the pollen clock is kicking in. If you think your dog may be suffering from seasonal allergies, keep an eye on his/her behavior.
Canine allergies can also be the result of additives and preservatives that can be in many of the dog foods that you buy. These additives and preservatives are often making dogs with allergies to corn or wheat, and they may be making your dog itchy and irritated.
There are some home remedies that can help you relieve that itching, but you will still want your veterinarian to check for allergies and other possible problems in order to ensure that your home remedy will truly alleviate the situation.
Your veterinarian should run allergy tests on your dog, so that he/she can determine the allergen, and determine what specific dog foods the dog is allergic to. You then just feed your dog hypoallergenic dog food, and the dog should be scratching less in the future because there is no added preservative or additives.
There are many ways that people have tried to improve their allergic dogs, and you can also look for simple cures yourself. A good diet, and adding fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6 to your dog’s diet can help a lot.
If your dog has started to scratch for no apparent reason, and you can find nothing available for his/her cone eyes, it would be a good idea to let your vet check for allergies. That is because sometimes something as simple as changing their food can cause an allergic reaction, and the scratching will help them relieve the itching.
Cats, too, get allergies, and they can suffer from the same as for dogs. Like dogs, some cats will only have a few episodes, while others will have chronic skin problems. Learn the symptoms, like how they shake their head, smell of smoke, or discharge from their eyes.
Like dogs, some cats will only have a few problems with pollen, while others will suffer from it for the rest of their lives. If your dog has problems with grass or pollen, change their food to a hypoallergenic brand, and at least while they are pregnant, reduce the pollen amount that comes in contact with them.
The simple solution is to remove the contact with the allergen, but unfortunately, that is not such a simple solution. If you do remove the allergen from your pet’s environment, it doesn’t mean that it will go away.
The exposure to the allergen continues as long as it is actually present. Anybody with allergies can tell you that it doesn’t take a year for a reaction to start, so keeping it in the environment for that long is recommended.
A simple allergy rub can sometimes help relieve the scratching and itching of your pet. Be careful, though. Give your dog the rubbing on a wet washcloth, and make sure you rub it against the stomach, and on the sides of the dog, you make sure it’s down all the way to the skin. Doing this will help remove the waterproof oil in the carpet and the skin cells responsible for repelling allergens.
Your veterinarian can prescribe topical creams and medicated shampoos that can stop the itch and reduce scratching.